18 BULLETIN 1017, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



voir for the control of run-off from the Lake Traverse watershed, 

 as together they form a single interstate project for combined drain- 

 age and flood prevention for that territory. The improvement of the 

 Red River channel is an interstate proposition and the increase of its 

 capacity is a measure for the prevention of floods. When proper 

 provision has been made for the removal of the water that may come 

 to the channel from the several States, the drainage of the land along 

 its course becomes a matter of locally controlled projects, and is so 

 considered in this report. 



The Bois de Sioux-Red River channel was studied in detail with 

 respect to size, course, slope, and condition as to obstruction. Various 

 methods of increasing the capacity were considered and conclusions 

 reached as to their effectiveness and practicability. Widening and 

 deepening of the channel; cut-offs; removal of brush, trees, and 

 debris ; relocation of bridges ; and changes in points of entry of trib- 

 utary streams by means of stream diversion and artificial embank- 

 ment — these were all considered in some location or other, wherever 

 applicable. 



As the study of flood flow and channel capacities made it appar- 

 ent that complete relief from flood conditions can not be economically 

 secured through channel improvement alone, the possibility of reduc- 

 ing high-water stages by means of temporary storage in the upper 

 reaches- of the streams was investigated. The only locations which 

 seem to offer practicable opportunities in this respect are the Red 

 Lake and Lake Traverse regions. The former has been investigated 

 by engineers of the War Department, which has reported favorably 

 upon the proposed improvement. 3 An abstract of that report appears 

 in another part of this report. The effect of that project upon Red 

 River conditions has been considered in the present investigation. 



A thorough field study was made of the Lake Traverse region 

 to determine the most advantageous location for a reservoir 

 and its efficiency under extreme conditions of run-off. Storage 

 capacities for various stages were computed and tentative plans were 

 prepared for the necessary controlling works. The results of such 

 storage in the case of the territory immediately benefited, and its 

 effect upon the conditions of flow in the Red River, were considered. 



The plans for recommended improvements were worked up with 

 the view of securing the maximum benefits at the least cost and an 

 equitable distribution of these two factors among all concerned. 



RUN-OFF. 



Run-off is that portion of the precipitation which, falling upon a 

 watershed, flows over or through the earth to a watercourse and 



= Document No. 61, House of Representatives, 66th Cong., 1st sess. 



